Trail riders roll in to Houston ahead of rodeo

By Photos by Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

on February 22, 2013 1:56 PM

Photo: Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

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The Texas Independence Trail Ride group rides into Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after their 108 mile ride from Brazoria Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. More than 3,000 trail riders representing 13 trail ride groups converged on Memorial park where they will camp for the night. less

The Texas Independence Trail Ride group rides into Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after their 108 mile ride from Brazoria Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. More than 3,000 trail ... more

The Texas Independence Trail Ride group makes its way along the 200 block of West Gray Street on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

The Texas Independence Trail Ride group makes its way along the 200 block of West Gray Street on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

The Texas Independence Trail Ride group makes its way along the 200... Photo-4236838.57241 - StamfordAdvocate

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The Southwestern Trail Ride group rides into Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after their 102 mile ride from Angleton Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

The Southwestern Trail Ride group rides into Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after their 102 mile ride from Angleton Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

Construction workers wave as the Texas Independence Trail Ride group makes its way along the 200 block of West Gray Street on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Construction workers wave as the Texas Independence Trail Ride group makes its way along the 200 block of West Gray Street on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, ... more

Wearing their western wear, a group of Garden Oaks Elementary School students make their way back to school after visiting The Spanish Trail Ride group in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Wearing their western wear, a group of Garden Oaks Elementary School students make their way back to school after visiting The Spanish Trail Ride group in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Wearing their western wear, a group of Garden Oaks Elementary... Photo-4236841.57241 - StamfordAdvocate

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Mikenzy Whitmire, 6, from Cleveland, sits on her covered wagon as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Mikenzy Whitmire, 6, from Cleveland, sits on her covered wagon as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston ... more

Nicholas Lyles, 5, a Garden Oaks Elementary School student feeds a horse a piece of hay in the parking lot of a Sears department store on Shepherd near 43rd St. as The Spanish Trail Ride group made a stop on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Nicholas Lyles, 5, a Garden Oaks Elementary School student feeds a horse a piece of hay in the parking lot of a Sears department store on Shepherd near 43rd St. as The Spanish Trail Ride group made a stop on ... more

Thomas Fuentes, 3, walks with his uncle, Juan Cazeno after the two visited The Spanish Trail Ride group in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Thomas Fuentes, 3, walks with his uncle, Juan Cazeno after the two visited The Spanish Trail Ride group in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ... more

London Barrientos, 5, a Garden Oaks Elementary School student tries to get the attention of a horse in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd St. as The Spanish Trail Ride group made a stop on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

London Barrientos, 5, a Garden Oaks Elementary School student tries to get the attention of a horse in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd St. as The Spanish Trail Ride group made a stop on their way to ... more

Juliet Wagner, 6, is treated to a horse ride while visiting with The Spanish Trail Ride group before they made their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Juliet Wagner, 6, is treated to a horse ride while visiting with The Spanish Trail Ride group before they made their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston ... more

Two horses are tied up to their owners vehicle as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Two horses are tied up to their owners vehicle as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Two horses are tied up to their owners vehicle as The Spanish Trail... Photo-4236861.57241 - StamfordAdvocate

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Mikenzy Whitmire, 6, from Cleveland, sits on her mule named Rose as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Mikenzy Whitmire, 6, from Cleveland, sits on her mule named Rose as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston ... more

Wendy Ellington holds her grandson Logan McMaster, 3, as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Wendy Ellington holds her grandson Logan McMaster, 3, as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show ... more

The Spanish Trail Ride group celebrates as they ended their 109 mile ride from Shepherd ending in Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

The Spanish Trail Ride group celebrates as they ended their 109 mile ride from Shepherd ending in Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

The Spanish Trail Ride group celebrates as they ended their 109... Photo-4236867.57241 - StamfordAdvocate

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Mikenzy Whitmire, 6, from Cleveland, sits on her mule named Rose as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Mikenzy Whitmire, 6, from Cleveland, sits on her mule named Rose as The Spanish Trail Ride group prepared to make their way from a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston ... more

Jim McGinnis, who is on his 31st trail ride with The Spanish Trail Ride group wears his group's logo on his orange safety vest in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd while on their way to Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston. less

Jim McGinnis, who is on his 31st trail ride with The Spanish Trail Ride group wears his group's logo on his orange safety vest in a parking lot on Shepherd near 43rd while on their way to Memorial Park to kick ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Jim McGinnis, who is on his 31st trail ride with The Spanish Trail... Photo-4236870.57241 - StamfordAdvocate

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Evan Moak, 7, watched as the Southwestern Trail Ride group rode into Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after their 102 mile ride from Angleton Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.

Evan Moak, 7, watched as the Southwestern Trail Ride group rode into Memorial Park to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after their 102 mile ride from Angleton Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in Houston.